Ferrum, VA, December 3, 2025 — Ferrum College’s first Panther to take on the challenge of dressing as the College mascot was Mr. Herbert “Herb” Pettway ’69. Beginning in the fall semester of 1967, Pettway donned a gold costume and for two years, attended athletic events and marched in parades with cheerleaders, representing Ferrum Junior College whenever he could.
While at Ferrum Herb served as Treasurer of the Student Government Association. He was also a member of the French Club and 4-H Club.
One of Herb’s fondest memories was of being at Ferrum when he travelled to Savannah, Georgia, in November 1968 to watch Ferrum play in the Shrine Bowl, which served as the National Junior College Football Championship game. The Panthers shellacked Phoenix Junior College by a score of 41-19 to secure Ferrum’s second national title in four years.
Herb’s memories include being on the Susannah Wesley Hall second floor with some members of the team who later died in the Marshall University plane crash in November, 1970. Seven former Ferrum players and Marshall Head Coach Rick Tolley died in the plane crash, one of the worst college sports disasters in history. Tolley had been Assistant Football Coach to and best friends with Hank Norton.
After he left Ferrum, Herb’s academic path took him to a career in education at the College of William and Mary, Campbell University, Old Dominion University, and Virginia Tech. He retired as an associate professor at Virginia Tech.
Herb has also had a successful career as a floral designer and is known for his graciousness, humor, attention to detail, and friendship. He is internationally known and his work is in museums and hotels in Norfolk. He has taught classes in Europe. A father and grandfather, he lives with his wife Cheryl in Chesapeake, Virginia.
